Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter has welcomed the announcement that residents adversely affected by the Perth Hills fire at the weekend will be able to access an Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment.

Assistance of $1000 per eligible adult and $400 per eligible child will be available through the Department of Human Services, effective immediately.

A person is eligible for the Disaster Recovery Payment if, as a direct result of the disaster:

• the person is seriously injured • the person is an immediate family member of an Australian who is killed • the person’s principal place of residence has been destroyed or has sustained major damage, or • the person is the principal carer of a child to whom the above criteria applies.

“While this payment certainly doesn’t bring back someone’s home it does go some way to providing short term, emergency relief to those most in need,” Mr Porter said.

“My thoughts are with those that have been affected by this disastrous event. More than 50 homes have now been lost, and many families have been left devastated.

“My office phone will be manned 24 hours this week and I encourage anyone who needs assistance to get in contact with us on 9294 3222. Whether it is assistance accessing the Disaster Recovery Payment or even just to use a fax, printer or photocopier, my office will provide whatever help we can.

“I also encourage anyone who wishes to provide assistance to the victims of this fire to make a financial, rather than material, donation to either the Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal or the Lord Mayor’s Parkerville Fire Appeal.”

The Facts

The Australian Government is working closely with the Western Australian Government to identify further recovery assistance requirements for people affected by this disaster.

Claims can be made online at www.humanservices.gov.au or by calling the Australian Government Information Hotline on 180 22 66 from 8am to 5pm local time, Monday to Friday (open until 8pm local time tonight, 13 January).

Completed claim forms can also be lodged in person at a Commonwealth Department of Human Services service centre.

The Salvation Army Bushfire Appeal – donations can be made by calling 13 72 58 (13Salvos) or via www.salvationarmy.org.au/wa or at any Bendigo Bank

The Parkerville Fire Appeal – donations can be made over the counter at any Bankwest branch , by EFT to Bankwest’s appeal account (BSB 306-089 / Acc 323311-7), in person at the Customer Service counter at Council House, 27 St Georges Terrace, Perth, on the phone for credit card donations on 9461 3886 during normal business hours and by mail to LMDRF, Perth Hills Fire Appeal, c/- City of Perth, GPO Box C120 Perth WA 6839.